The academic recognition of a PhD degree awarded abroad aims to grant the corresponding Italian qualification of the same nature, that is one having legal value within the Italian higher education system (previously referred to as equivalence).

Before starting any assessment procedure, it is essential to identify the purpose for which recognition of the foreign qualification is being requested within the Italian system, taking into account the different procedures provided for under Italian legislation and the different authorities responsible for these matters.

The assessment of a foreign doctoral qualification for academic purposes (with a view to obtaining the corresponding Italian qualification) is carried out by universities; recognition of the qualification for non-academic purposes (for example access to public recruitment procedures, pension-related purposes, recognition of periods of study, etc.) or for professional purposes is carried out by other public authorities.

Further information on the various procedures for recognition of foreign qualifications for non-academic purposes is available on the CIMEA website.

Recognition is granted only if the foreign qualification is an official third-cycle doctoral qualification within the relevant foreign higher education system, awarded by an officially recognised institution and only if it presents the same disciplinary and substantive characteristics as the corresponding Italian qualification in terms of duration, research nature and award requirements.

How applications are assessed at the University of Trento

The competent body responsible for recognition is the Board of Lecturers of the doctoral programme which, by nature and content, is considered to correspond to the qualification already obtained.

Recognition may only be requested for doctoral programmes that have completed their first cycle.

Please consult the list of doctoral programmes offered at the University of Trento.

The application may result in:

• direct award of the corresponding Italian PhD qualification;
• refusal of recognition where substantial differences exist between the foreign qualification and the corresponding Italian one.

The application assessment fee is payable regardless of the outcome of the procedure and is non-refundable.

How to apply

Applications for recognition of a PhD qualification awarded abroad may only be submitted online, together with the following documentation:

• a valid identity document;
• the official foreign doctoral qualification awarded by an officially recognised foreign higher education institution;
• a sworn translation into Italian of the foreign doctoral qualification;
• Diploma Supplement or Statement of Comparability for the foreign qualification issued by the Italian ENIC-NARIC centre (CIMEA);
• Legalisation (or Hague Apostille for countries party to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961) issued by the competent authorities of the country where the university is based, or a Statement of Verification of the authenticity of the foreign qualification issued by the Italian ENIC-NARIC centre (CIMEA);
• where available, a Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di valore in loco) issued by the competent diplomatic or consular authority;

• a statement/certificate issued by the competent foreign higher education institution certifying the elements and activities of the doctoral programme undertaken, including:

  • title of the doctoral programme;
  • minimum duration of the programme attended as provided for under the foreign higher education system (for recognition purposes, this must not be shorter than the minimum three-year duration established under Italian legislation governing doctoral studies);
  • date of first enrolment;
  • date of award of the qualification.

  Where possible, the certificate should also specify:

  • the nature of the programme (which must be academic/research-based; professionally oriented qualifications are not eligible for assessment);
  • the legal status of the foreign institution, including evidence of its authority to award officially recognised qualifications at the time the qualification was issued.

  This certificate may be omitted only if the submitted Diploma Supplement already contains the above information.

  If the certificate is issued in a language other than Italian or English, it must be accompanied by a translation into English or Italian prepared by the applicant under their own responsibility.

• a copy of the doctoral thesis and/or the web address of the university or library repository where the official version of the thesis is stored and accessible. Where the thesis is written in a language other than Italian or English, an appropriate translation into English or Italian must also be provided;
• the Italian or foreign second-cycle qualification used to gain access to the foreign doctoral programme;
• a curriculum vitae / curriculum studiorum in Italian or English including any additional qualifications, publications and research and teaching activities carried out;
• payment of €300 as the “Application assessment fee for recognition of a foreign doctoral qualification”, to be made via the PagoPA system. This fee is payable irrespective of the outcome of the procedure and is non-refundable.

Where necessary for recognition purposes, the University of Trento may request additional documentation.

If recognition is granted

If academic recognition of the qualification is granted, applicants must, within 30 days of receiving the relevant notification:

• submit the original documents attached to the recognition application to the Doctoral Programmes and Advanced Training Support Division of the relevant campus;
• pay an additional fee (“Fee for the award of the corresponding Italian doctoral qualification”) of €200 plus €16 stamp duty.